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The more time that passed since the threat of war was made known the more on edge that Rishima seemed to grow. His patrols seemed to increase as well, keeping a better eye on everything, chasing off things that he felt were dangerous, and watching after those around. He didn't like it, the fact that they were getting closer and closer to when the battles were going to become. It worried him, that those in Oba were actually getting ready to come here even now, that they were preparing to attack. He didn't know when exactly they would strike, they only had a vague idea of when they were coming, and he didn't want to be caught off guard.

The more he patrolled the more people that he met with, the more people he met with the more that he felt he needed to protect them. That drive to patrol led him once more to where he was now, again moving toward where Gerraden lived. It had been some time since he'd seen him last and he missed him, but he rarely seemed to slow down enough to chat with others so he'd yet to meet up with him again. Climbing up a bit further he walked along a branch, able to see where Gerr lived from his perched. He watched the area for a time before lifting a hand up, smothering a yawn, and shook his head to clear the cobwebs.

Settling down he allowed himself to sit, he'd take a tiny break and from there he would see about starting his patrol anew. A part of him knew that he should take a break, eat, rest, and the like... but he was far too agitated to do what he should do. He wanted to look after everyone, he couldn't do that when he was asleep, that much he knew for sure.

Rishima jerked his head up, looking from side to side, wondering if he were so exhausted that he was hearing things now. He really wouldn't put that passed himself at the moment, he knew that he had been skimping as far as the basic neccessities went after all. It took him a moment to realize that the one calling out for him wasn't around him, but instead under him. He leaned to the side, looking down toward the ground, and saw Gerraden standing there. His mismatched eyes went a bit wide as he spotted the rather enthusiastic hybrid, and then gave a bit of a smile. It really had been a while, hadn't it? Gerraden looked a lot stronger these days and... was that sword? He'd gotten himself rank and weapon, had he?

it was something that actually scared Rishima a little, not that Gerr had a weapon but instead the implications that held. Having a weapon meant that he was going to one day use that weapon, didn't it? He might very well be preparing to go to war just as Rishima was, he could get hurt or worse. Pushing to his feet he found himself almost wanting to run from that thought... that or yell at Gerr for getting a weapon. It was a strange wave of feelings, shouldn't he be wanting to encourage him? To tell him to train hard so that he would be prepare for what was coming? It was the logical thing and yet that thought just made his chest ache.

Hopping down the tree's branches he landed near to Gerraden, starring at him a moment, before he walked toward him, hand clutching at his own weapon. Once he was close enough to him he gave a sigh, "You... have a weapon now..." He murmured, antennae sagging a bit. Since Gerr wasn't a part of his village, instead living with the Shifters, he couldn't even request that Gerraden be allowed to fight with Rishima or better yet be assigned guard duty somewhere far from the battlefield. Such a pain... especially given he wasn't even sure where such thoughts were stemming from.

Rishima gave a yelp of surprise as he was suddenly dragged into a tight hug, one that picked him up off his feet, making him feel oddly small. It was a weird thing, being manhandled by someone so much younger then he was and yet it was happening at the moment, he was even being swung about like a child's doll. What a strange feeling but it was somehow comforting in a way, wasn't it? To the point that he was almost sad when he was put back on his feet, as though Gerraden realized that he'd been swinging him about for a while. The moment his bare feet touched the ground he took a step back, looking the other man over that much more closely. He'd gotten taller, hadn't he? Broader and stronger too, it was rather surprising since he now felt a bit on the short side... but then again he tended to feel that way around his sisters back home as well.

As Gerr set to explaining what had happened he could only nod, starring at the weapon. He wasn't sure what he thought of it all, other then not wanting him to be near the battlefield, but figured the elders must see something in him if they were to give him the weapon. Everyone would have to fight in the up coming battle, Gerraden was no exception, even if Rishima did want to make him one. He somehow doubted that he would sit and stay even if Rishima attempted to tell him to do so either. So what to do about him and the risk he was going to be at? A question that seemed to flutter off without him as Gerr commented about him not looking well.

"Ahhh... fever?" He murmured, lifting a hand to touch it to his own forehead, then shrugged, "I don't think so, I don't feel any warmer then usual. I just haven't been sleeping to well is all." He said, then gave a thoughtful twitch of his antennae, "Thirsty? A bit, yes... and no, you don't need to go out of your way, I am able to carry myself with my own two feet, Gerraden." He said in a reassuring manner, not wanting the other hybrid to worry about him.

"Ahh...?" Rishima dropped his gaze so that he could stare at the finger that was pointing at the moment, then up at Gerraden as he spoke. It was on the tip of his tongue to ask if he were being serious about the first part... but it sank in quickly that he was just joking around. He opened his mouth, wanting to protest, but closed it again when he realized that was Gerraden was saying was true. He was exhausted but he didn't feel right just sitting around. He should be on his feet, patrolling, keeping an eye out for danger. It would appear as though he didn't have a choice in the matter though, did he? Certain not when Gerraden actually went through his threats and picked him up.

The hybrid's cheeks darkened and he muttered, "And... here I thought you were bluffing." Not good, he didn't need to be carried like this! What if one of his sisters saw? What if Jerarda say? Either way he had a feeling that he wouldn't be able to live it down by any stretch of the imagination. No, it ran the risk of making him look weak, not something he wanted to have happen, especially given the current situation... but he also found it hard to protest. Not because he didn't want to but because he felt that his body might very well turn on him if he did. It felt nice getting to rest, even if it came at the cost of him being put in an embarrassing position.

"If anyone sees I will claim it was under duress." He told Gerraden, allowing himself to lean against the other man a moment, allowing his eyes to close. He was being weak and he knew it, but this was rather comfortable, wasn't it? He would have to thank Gerraden when they got to... well, wherever the other man was taking him he supposed. He peeked up at him with one dark eye and asked, "You're not planning to carry me through your village like this, right? I don't think I'd be able to allow that." It would be far to shameful for words for a whole village to see him like this.

Rishima's antennae gave a bit of a twitch as he they moved forward, a part of him wanting to ask if Gerraden were alright, his words seeming a bit breathless. He decided against it though, not sure if he would embarrass Gerraden over why it was that he was getting so breathy. Besides if he called him out then Gerr might not carry him anymore and he had to admit that this was rather relaxing. Not to mention that it helped him at bit as far as recovering his strength went though not as much as real rest and some food might.

"I thank you for taking us elsewhere." He would much rather not go across a Shifter village in this condition, not wanting to be seen as weak in the eyes of those who might still resent those with Alkidike blood in them... though he had to wonder about the village and its tolerance levels given that Gerraden's mother did live amongst them. If anyone might be more welcoming and less leery of someone like him it would be a village that had already welcomed those just like him previously. Even so finding himself being brought to the nearby stream instead was something that he much preferred, finding it to be the far better option, one that allowed him to rest easier.

"Thank you." He said, looking down at the canteen and rations, something that he felt Gerraden should hold on to since they were his... but that should be alright since they were close to his home village. Food and water weren't necessary where they were at the moment. Lifting the water to his lips he took a long sip off of it, finding that Gerraden was very fight about the slightly odd flavoring to it.

As he waited on the large rock that over looked the stream he found himself wondering what Gerraden meant when he said he was going to get some 'stuff to get him more comfortable' whatever that meant. He supposed he would see when his friend came back he decided, not moving from his rocky perch even though when he looked at the stream he realized that he could easily get them a fish dinner. Naw, that would wait, he didn't really want to get scolded by Gerraden after all. It was a thought that made his antennae bounce rapidly, as though he were trying to figure out why he cared that much. Gerraden seemed to be rather good at mixing him up, of that he was certain, but still he couldn't really complain about it for even a moment since the guy was always so nice to him.

Rishima allowed himself to lay back, resting on the rock, eyes closed, antennae twitching and at the ready. He was resting, sure, but he wasn't sleeping, not when eh was alone in the woods. Instead he was ding his best to keep on guard for what might be coming.

Rishima turned to look over at Gerraden as he approached, sitting up so that he could watching, then starred at him when he sat down with him and seemed to kind of space off. There was a moment of silence before the other man seemed to come out of whatever trance he'd be caught up in. As the fruit was offered to him he reached out to take it, "Thanks." He said, shifting himself to sit cross legged, resting the fruit on the rock next to him, and picked a piece of it up, using the tip of his spear to slice it in half. He took half, taking a bite out of it, and offered up the other half of it to Gerraden, "What some?"

Probably best that he shared with him he thought to himself, not wanting to leave him without, not when he was being as kind as he was at the moment. He really was a friendly sort, wasn't he? Each time he'd met him so far it seemed that Gerraden was only too happy to keep him company, to chat with him, to feed him, and various other things that really had endeared him to Rishima. It made him that much happier to hang out with him like this even if he had been rather busy of late. Maybe this was a good thing though, a meeting ordained by Aisha? Someone to get Rishima to sit down for a moment.

Tilting his head back, eyes closing, he said, "I have been patrolling so much off late it feels like I am walking my feet off." He probably should take more breaks but he really worried that the moment he slowed down the sneaky Obans would attack! He couldn't risk that or else nice people like Gerraden would find themselves in harms way! Not something he could allow even if that meant sore feet.

Rishima's antennae gave a little twitch before he nodded, "If your sure." He said, giving the fruit he held a glance before he happily dug into it. It felt like it had been far too long since he'd indulged in such a tasty meal as this one. It didn't even matter that it was something as simple as just fruit at this moment, it was just that good to the overworked warrior. He was in the midst of eating when Gerraden's arms snaked around him, pulling him back to lean against him. He blinked a couple times then looked over his shoulder at him.

Rishima was a rather surprised, though he supposed that he really shouldn't be. Gerraden was an overly friendly, hands on sort of person, he had been since they met. He was likely just looking for an opportunity to pounce and by distracting Rishima with food the perfect opportunity had showed itself. He gav ea little sigh before giving in, leaning back into him, and let his eyes sink half shut. He starred at the bit of fruit he was holding in his hand. He finished off the piece before he snuggled back against Gerraden, "I guess this will be alright for now." He murmured, hoping that Gerraden didn't get too handsy while he was sleeping. He felt that he should be able to trust him to behave... maybe...

Finally he opened one eye, peeking up at Gerr, and said, "Behave." With that he closed his eyes once again, relaxing against his friend, and it wasn't long before his breathing started to even out showing how in need of sleep he really was.

Rishima's antennae gave a bit of a twitch though if he had heard what Gerraden had said it was hard to say, he didn't answer. Instead he seemed as though he was in deep sleep. It had been some time since he had a chance to sleep, he was far too busy with other things, sleep just wasn't as important to him as patrolling was at this point. He wanted to keep those he cared for safe after all, the one he was curled up against among them. Gerraden, while being different from those that he normally spent his time with, was growing on him.

It was some time later that Rishima came to, his eyes fluttering rapidly, antennae twitching, trying to recall where he was and what was going on. Where... where was he...? He shifted in place, then realized that he was leaning against something warm. He turned his head, starred a moment at Gerraden, then quickly sat up, "Ah! What... how long did I sleep?" He asked, feeling as though he might have just wasted an entire day... but at the same time he did feel a lot better. He was no longer feeling hazy around the edges. He knew he needed the sleep even if he hadn't meant to sleep for this long. He'd probably slept more today then he had in days, which he hoped would mean that he would be good to keep going for a while after this.

Sitting up he set to stretching out all over before giving Gerr a glance, "Ahhh... sorry... I didn't mean to make you sit there for so long." That couldn't not have been comfortable in the least bit. Oops...